:clap: MLS courts top European clubs for all-star game in T.O. :wavetowel:
Major League Soccer has targeted four of the world's biggest clubs to fill the spot available at the 2008 MLS All-Star Game in Toronto.
The league is involved in talks with England's Liverpool FC, Germany's Bayern Munich and Spain's FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, according to a knowledgeable source.
The MLS All-Star format typically pits the best of the North American league against a top European club. In the past three years, Chelsea and Fulham of the English Premier League and Celtic of the Scottish Premier League have appeared. Those recent participants pale in terms of quality and/or pedigree with any of the four now being considered.
Liverpool is a particularly attractive option from MLS's perspective. The team is co-owned by American George Gillett, who also owns the NHL's Montreal Canadiens.
Liverpool also shares a major sponsor, Carlsberg, with Toronto FC. This sudden boost in star power can be attributed in the main to David Beckham. His addition to the league has caught the imagination of Europe's top sides.
At the moment, it appears Toronto soccer fans will be the beneficiary of that attention.
Yesterday, MLS would not confirm the four clubs in the picture. Spokesperson Dan Courtemanche said the league is in talks with "some very prominent" teams.
The as-yet-unsettled date for the game at BMO Field is also being finalized. MLS is targeting a Thursday in mid-summer, likely July 24 or 31.
That leaves a three-week breather after the completion of the European championships June 29. The game is planned for a Thursday to suit MLS' American broadcast partner, ESPN.
Dates could be changed to accommodate one of the four big clubs being courted. Those negotiations, each at various stages, are ongoing. At this point, there is no clear favourite, the source said. MLS may not finalize its decision until February or March.
The league continues to track other English, German and South American opponents in case their preferred four fall through.
Under the current format, MLS players are voted to the all-star team through a combination of fan, media and managers' picks.
Major League Soccer has targeted four of the world's biggest clubs to fill the spot available at the 2008 MLS All-Star Game in Toronto.
The league is involved in talks with England's Liverpool FC, Germany's Bayern Munich and Spain's FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, according to a knowledgeable source.
The MLS All-Star format typically pits the best of the North American league against a top European club. In the past three years, Chelsea and Fulham of the English Premier League and Celtic of the Scottish Premier League have appeared. Those recent participants pale in terms of quality and/or pedigree with any of the four now being considered.
Liverpool is a particularly attractive option from MLS's perspective. The team is co-owned by American George Gillett, who also owns the NHL's Montreal Canadiens.
Liverpool also shares a major sponsor, Carlsberg, with Toronto FC. This sudden boost in star power can be attributed in the main to David Beckham. His addition to the league has caught the imagination of Europe's top sides.
At the moment, it appears Toronto soccer fans will be the beneficiary of that attention.
Yesterday, MLS would not confirm the four clubs in the picture. Spokesperson Dan Courtemanche said the league is in talks with "some very prominent" teams.
The as-yet-unsettled date for the game at BMO Field is also being finalized. MLS is targeting a Thursday in mid-summer, likely July 24 or 31.
That leaves a three-week breather after the completion of the European championships June 29. The game is planned for a Thursday to suit MLS' American broadcast partner, ESPN.
Dates could be changed to accommodate one of the four big clubs being courted. Those negotiations, each at various stages, are ongoing. At this point, there is no clear favourite, the source said. MLS may not finalize its decision until February or March.
The league continues to track other English, German and South American opponents in case their preferred four fall through.
Under the current format, MLS players are voted to the all-star team through a combination of fan, media and managers' picks.
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